Match report day 3: Warwicks v Lancs in Championship 2004 by Neil Adams

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Scorecard:

Warwickshire v Lancashire

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Summar of day 3

48 overs play were lost on the third day of this match due to a ferocious hail storm shortly after 12.15pm. Within a few minutes, the outfield was transformed from its lush green colour to a scene resembling a Christmas card. The hail persisted for just over ten minutes and was then followed by heavy rain which caused streams of water around the ground, and pools of water to sit on the outfield. Truthfully, the umpires should have left the field before the storm started. The dark clouds had been approaching for a considerable time and it was obvious what was going to happen. Alas, they waited for the first drop to fall before the players sprinted to the dressing rooms. Unfortunately, the ground staff were unable to cover the pitch and the surrounding area before they were thoroughly drenched.

 

Needless to say, there was a considerable delay before play could recommence as several areas of the outfield were very wet. In total, the interval lasted 4 hour. Before the break, Lancashire added 77 runs for the loss of Dinesh Mongia - leg before wicket to Ian Bell for a highly commendable 89 (333-4). Loye surpassed his previous highest score for Lancashire of 144 (Versus Sussex at Old Trafford 2003). On debut, Horton remained unbeaten on 18 (376-4).

 

The final session of the day lasted 140 minutes. In this time Lancashire lost 4 wickets and added 129 runs. Maximum batting points were achieved in the 102nd over. Horton was caught at the wicket by Frost for 22 (381-5) - beaten by a little extra pace and bounce from Neil Carter. Steven Crook blasted 23 runs from 24 balls before offering a simple catch to Nick Knight at mid-off (409-6). Loye reached his 10,000th first class run when he reached 181 not out. Hegg survived two drop catches on 13 and 17, and added exactly 50 runs in tandem with Loye for the 7th wicket. Quite unexpectedly, Loye (184) was beaten by a ball which turned sharply and bowled him in the 121st over (459-7). John Wood offered a sharp chance to Ian Bell at first slip with just one run to his name. In the final over of the day, Hegg was bowled by Brad Hogg for 54 leaving Lancashire on 505 for 8 overnight - a lead of just 6 runs. The match is destined to finish a draw and will best be remembered in years to come for the hail storm which stopped play.

 

Key Notes of the Day

• 303 for 3 in the 77th over - Loye 125* Mongia 70*
• 150 partnership - 312 for 3 in the 78th over - Loye 129* Mongia 75*
• Mongia lbw bowled Bell 89 - 333 for 4 in the 83rd over - Loye 136*
• 350 for 4 in the 86th over - Loye 142* Horton 9* - Follow-on avoided
• Loye reaches new top score for Lancashire 148 - 360 for 4 in the 89th over - Horton 13*
• 362 for 4 from 90 overs - Loye 149* Horton 14* - New ball taken
• 150 Loye from 239 balls (24 x 4) - 363 for 4 in the 91st over - Horton 14*
• 12.15pm - Heavy rain and persistent hail stop play - 376 for 4 in the 96th over - Loye 156* Horton 18*
• Play restarts at 4.15pm - 48 overs lost
• Horton caught Frost bowled Carter 22 - 381 for 5 in the 98th over - Loye 157*
• 401 for 5 in the 102nd over - Loye 159* Crook 18*
• Crook caught Knight bowled Tahir 23 (Mid-off) - 409 for 6 in the 104th over - Loye 162*
• Hegg 13 dropped by Troughton at cover point - 436 for 6 in the 115th over - Loye 176*
• Loye passes 10,000 runs in first class cricket - 181*
• Hegg 17 dropped by Brown in the gully - 445 for 6 in the 116th over - Loye 181*
• 450 for 6 in the 117th over - Loye 181* Hegg 18*
• 50 partnership - 459 for 6 in the 120th over - Loye 184* Hegg 24*
• Loye bowled Wagh 184 (Nipped back through gate) - 459 for 7 in the 121st over - Hegg 24*
• Wood 1 dropped by Bell at first slip - 463 for 7 in the 123rd over - Hegg 27*
• 500 for 7 in the 130th over - Hegg 498 Wood 12*
• 50 Hegg from 76 balls (8 x 4) - 504 for 7 in the 131st over - Wood 12*
• Hegg bowled Hogg 54 (Last ball of the day) - 505 for 8 in the 132nd over - Wood 12* - Lead by 6
• Warwickshire 7 points, Lancashire 8 points

 

(Article: Copyright © 2004 Neil Adams http://www.cricketimages.co.uk/adams-report/intro.html)